The improbable six-year Giants career of David Tyree came to an end today, as expected, when he was waived by the team that gave him his NFL life. In turn, Tyree gave his hometown Giants a Super Bowl memory for the ages.

Tyree, 29, was let go on the day the Giants must trim their roster to 53 players. This was the only real outcome for Tyree, who did not fully respond physically this summer, battled inconsistency when he did get on the field and was passed on the depth chart by younger, more skilled receivers.

Tyree hopes to continue his career and will look to latch on with another team.

It was with the Giants where Tyree made a mark that will last forever. A sixth-round draft pick out of Syracuse, he was lacking as a receiver and his only way onto the roster was if he lived up to the special teams reputation he cultivated in college. Tyree did that, and more. He developed into a special teams demon and made the Pro Bowl in 2005 for his work on special teams.

By itself, that would have been enough for Tyree to consider his NFL journey a success. He burst onto the national stage and took his place in NFL history in Super Bowl XLII. He scored the Giants first touchdown on a 5-yard reception from Eli Manning, which was stunning by itself, considering Tyree had just four catches and no touchdowns all season.

Then, in the closing minutes with the Giants trailing 14-10, Tyree teamed with Manning for what is widely considered the greatest play in Super Bowl history. Manning on third-and-5 somehow avoided several Patriots defenders and fired a pass downfield, seemingly too high for Tyree. He leaped, snatched the ball in the air and secured it by pinning it against his helmet, then held on as he crashed backwards to the ground, the ball nearly hitting the grass. The 32-yard reception paved the way for the game-winning touchdown in the Giants’ stunning 17-14 upset of the previously unbeaten Pats.

Coming off that exploit, Tyree was in danger of not making the team last season but a knee injury actually saved him, as he was put on injured reserve. Tyree experienced hamstring and groin issues this summer, dropped the ball too often in training camp and missed the last two preseason games with a strained hamstring. The handwriting was on the wall and he knew it, which is why last week he all but said his goodbyes.

“What a joy it was to be part of something so great from Day 1,” Tyree said. “My experience here has been nothing short of a dream. To be placed in team history and sports history, where do you go from here?”

This was an obvious but not easy decision for the entire Giants organization. Tyree was a particular favorite of Tom Coughlin’s. If Tyree doesn’t hook on with another team, it’s likely the Giants will hold a special ceremony for him during this season.

Tyree finished his Giants career with 54 catches for 650 yards and four touchdowns. His last real game was Super Bowl XLII.

Other early cuts on roster-cut-down day:

In a mild surprise, TE Michael Matthews has been waived. A blocking tight end, Matthews played in every game the past two seasons and had eight receptions for 54 yards ands no touchdowns. That means Darcy Johnson probably makes the final roster, or else the Giants go shopping for another tight end.

Both quarterbacks, Andre Woodson and rookie Rhett Bomar, were waived. This comes as no surprise. Bomar will be signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers, which is likely.